Now Hiring: Co-op Development Specialist
UPDATE: This position has since been filled.
Job Title: Co-op Development Specialist
Reports To: Program Director
Status: Part-Time (20 hours/week)
Pay: $23-25/hour
Benefits: Paid Time Off, 4% 403(b) Pension
Organization Description:
SquareOne Villages (SOV) is a nonprofit organization with a mission of creating democratic communities with homes that are permanently affordable and environmentally sustainable. We strive to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of our organizational culture and infrastructure. We envision our villages as culturally responsive places in which people from all backgrounds and abilities are welcomed, included, and valued.
Job Description:
The Co-op Development Specialist will assist with the pre-occupancy organization and ongoing support of Peace Village Co-op, a resident-owned community with 70 units of permanently affordable housing for households with low-incomes. The housing is currently under construction, and initial occupancy is anticipated in December 2023.
This position will work with the Program Director prior to occupancy to assist in creating and implementing a management and operations plan, and lead the resident outreach and application process to reach full occupancy. The position will then go on to provide ongoing support and technical assistance to the co-op as described in the job functions below. Once Peace Village Co-op is stabilized, the position may go on to assist with other co-ops developed by SOV.
Essential Job Functions:
Pre-Occupancy
Develop and maintain complete understanding of the co-op’s governing documents. Assist and advise with the development of organizational policies and procedures.
Assist with organizing information sessions for prospective applicants interested in joining a housing cooperative.
Lead on managing the application process and answering questions from potential applicants. Review applications according to the eligibility and member selection criteria; conduct reference calls and background checks; maintain the co-op’s waiting list.
Facilitate resident purchase of co-op memberships and execution of membership, occupancy, and repayment agreements.
Assist with the development and implementation of a property management plan for a 70 unit housing cooperative.
Collaborate with project staff on launching operations according to project schedule.
Co-op Support & Administration
Lead on the organizing effort associated with a new cooperatively-owned housing development. Build effective relationships with members and encourage leadership development.
Support members in developing an effective governance structure. Provide members, committees, and board of directors with ongoing technical assistance, including with
implementation of the co-op’s bylaws, leases, policies, and procedures
board elections and annual meeting procedures
business management, including interpreting basic financial statements and maintenance of all business records
community engagement
Conduct a wide variety of educational and training/coaching activities, including working with large groups of residents, committees, the board of directors, and individual community leaders.
In collaboration with the Property Manager, organize and attend meetings of the board of directors; prepare and distribute meeting agenda packets prior to business meetings.
Report regularly to SOV staff regarding the co-op.
Desired Qualifications:
Familiarity and experience with member-run, democratic, and/or cooperative governance structures and formal organizations.
Excellent verbal and written communicator who is able to connect to a wide variety of audiences and diverse groups. Spanish language fluency and experience working with low-income communities are highly desirable.
Excellent interpersonal skills including ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, ability to stay neutral and unbiased in approaching conflict, and ability to maintain professionalism under pressure as a representative of SOV.
Ability to read, interpret, analyze, and communicate basic financial documents and reports (e.g. balance sheets, profit & loss statements, operating budgets, etc.).
Knowledge of and proficiency using Google cloud apps (Gmail, GoogleDocs, GoogleDrive).
Demonstrated experience fulfilling administrative duties, community relations, and collaboration with other local community organizations and initiatives.
Must be able to independently manage key objectives on a projected course with both set and variable timelines.
Lives in Eugene/Springfield with ability to commute to job site
Satisfactory background check by SOV
To Apply:
Please submit the items listed below in PDF format to info@squareonevillages.org with “Co-op Development Specialist” in the subject line.
Cover letter stating your relevant skills and experience and why you are a good fit for this position
Resumé with at least three references
People who are LGBTQIA+, Black, Indigenous, people of color, and/or people who are alterabled are encouraged to apply.
Equity Vision: We envision a society where everyone is housed. We envision our villages as places where people from all backgrounds and abilities are welcomed, included, and valued. We envision our villages as culturally responsive and relevant, in which diverse peoples want to live and can see themselves thriving.
We choose to be an anti-racist organization. We envision SquareOne as an organization in which diversity, equity and inclusion are integrated into our discussions, our planning, and our policies and procedures—in every aspect of our organizational culture and infrastructure.
Non-Discrimination Policy: SquareOne Villages does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age (over the age of 17), national origin (ancestry), disability (as permitted within physical limits of current facilities), marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, selection of village residents, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all village residents and members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.
